Message display saddle for fuel dispensing nozzle

ABSTRACT

A message display boot is provided for a fuel dispensing nozzle. The display boot comprises a flexible plastic boot in close conforming fit over at least the front valve housing of the nozzle. At the top of the boot in a message platform upon which rests a message placard. The placard is removable held on the platform by an optically clear skirted cover conforming to the contour of the platform, such that the cover is held on the platform by the close conforming fit of the skirt along the sides of the platform, but can be easily pried off the platform to change the placard. A bellow portion at the bottom of the boot provides a conforming fit over nozzles of various height. A resilient bumper shields the message platform and cover from contact with the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the boot, platform, bellows and bumper are integrally molded of plastisol vinyl.

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/397,774 filedAug. 23, 1989 and abandoned upon the filing of this application.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to advertising message display devices. Moreparticularly, it relates to a message display boot to be used on a fueldispensing nozzle. The display boot permits the advertising message tobe periodically changed, and locates it at a visually prominent positionto the self-service customer, while he is dispensing his own fuel,without interfering with or encumbering his operation of the fueldispensing nozzle. It can also be used to display messages to theemployee operator at full service or mini service stations.

In the prior art devices, it was known to attach a message display tothe top a fuel dispensing nozzle. With the recent proliferation ofself-service stations, it is now common for drivers to pump fuel intotheir own vehicles. In so doing, the customer's visual attention isnecessarily focused directly on the fuel nozzle itself, making the topof the fuel nozzle a desirable site for an advertising message, sincethe customer is compeled to notice and read the message as he dispenseshis fuel. However, such prior art message displays are cumbersome,visually unattractive, and easily damaged devices in that they areaffixed to the fuel nozzle by harness straps, connected by Velcro orsnap connectors. The present invention overcomes the disadvantage ofthese prior devices by providing a close-fitting vinyl boot with themessage display platform mounted directly thereon, either by integralmolding with the boot itself or by an appropriate retainer means to theboot such as rivets, snaps or adhesive bonding. Consequently, themessage display device of the present invention is non-obstructive,appears to be a part of the nozzle itself, and is difficult to damage orremove from the nozzle.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent in the detailed description and drawings which follow.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the invention is to provide a message display fora fuel dispensing nozzle in which the message display is contained on aflexible boot closely conforming to the contour of the fuel nozzleitself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a message display platformwhich is securely mounted on the boot, either by integral molding withthe boot or by appropriate permanent fastening to the boot, such thatthe message display platform will not be an obstruction to dispensingfuel, and will not be easily damaged or dislodged from the fuel nozzle.

Another object is to provide message display platforms of a variety ofshapes such that an individual platform shape may be a replica of thelogo of a fuel refiner or a fuel retailer.

Another object of the invention is to provide means to periodicallychange the displayed message with relative ease and without thenecessity of removing the display boot from the nozzle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a protective bumper guardbetween the display platform and the body of the vehicle so that thedisplay is not damaged during the fuel dispensing operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the specifications and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A message display boot is provided for a fuel dispersing nozzle. Theboot comprises a flexible plastic boot in close conforming fit over atleast the front valve housing of the nozzle. At the top of the boot ismounted a message display platform upon which rests a message placard.The placard is removably held on the platform by an optically clearskirted cover conforming to the contour of the platform, such that it isheld on the platform by the close conforming fit of the skirt along thesides of the platform, but can be easily pried off the platform tochange the placard. A bellows portion at the bottom of the boot providesa conforming fit over nozzles of various height. A resilient bumpershields the message platform and cover from contact with the vehicle. Ina preferred embodiment, the boot, platform, bellows and bumper areintegrally molded of plasicized vinyl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical fuel dispensing nozzle havingmounted thereon a message display boot according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective and exploded view of a basic embodiment of amessage dispensing boot according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective and exploded view of an alternative embodimentboot according to the present invention, having a platform with aprotective lip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective and exploded view of another alternativeembodiment boot according to the present invention, having a permanentmessage encased in the message platform, wherein the changeable messageplacard overlies the permanent message.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment boot accordingto the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial section view along the line A--A' of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical fuel dispensing nozzle 1,as is commonly found at service stations for dispensing gasoline,kerosene, diesel and other fuels. Mounted on the nozzle 1 is a messagedisplay boot 10 according to the present invention. As can be seen fromFIG. 1, the message display boot 10 fits in close conformity over thefront portion of the nozzle where the nozzle it valves are housed, andas such, appears to be part of the nozzle itself. This boot is easilyinstalled over the nozzle, and because of the close conforming fit, isprevented from sliding around or becoming a cumbersome obstacle indispensing the fuel. The boot further places the message directly on topof the nozzle at the point where the operator's visual attention will befocused during nozzle insertion and operation.

Details of the boot are shown more particularly in the embodiments ofFIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The display boot 10 comprises a boot portion 12, whichis preferably constructed of a flexible material such as a plasticizedvinyl. The boot portion 12 conforms closely to the contour of the frontportion of the nozzle ahead of its handle and operating lever, and ispreferably of unitary construction, wherein it is pulled onto the nozzleover its insertion end. However, the boot 12 could be constructed sothat the bottom portion forms two separate flaps which are joined bysnap fasteners. Further, the boot portion 12 may be extended back overthe handle of the nozzle if the nozzle does not already have a rubber orplastic leak guard, or where the original leak guard needs replacement.

The bottom of the boot portion 12 further comprises a bellows portion 14to accommodate the differences in height of various nozzles. The bootportion 12 is dimensioned to conform to nozzles of the smallest heightwith the bellows 14 relaxed, allowing the accordion folds of the bellows14 to expand to provide a close-conforming fit over nozzles having agreater height.

Located at the top of the boot portion 12 is the message displayplatform 16. The message display platform 16 is preferably moldedintegrally with the boot portion 12, or alternatively may be affixed tothe boot portion 12 by any appropriate fastening means, such as rivetsor adhesive bond. The message platform 16 may be of a variety of shapes,such that a particular shape may replicate the outline of the logo of afuel refiner or retailer, such as, for example, the MOBIL, CHEVRON,SHELL, or 7-11 logos. This is a particularly desirable feature in thatthe affiliation of the service station to a particular refiner orretailer chain is made and reinforced simultaneously with the text ofthe message. The platform 16 will preferably be molded around anappropriately shaped metallic plate to provide it with rigidity.

As shown in FIG. 3, the message plato, 16 may have a protective rim 18surrounding it. The protective rim 18 will absorb impact to the side ofthe message display platform 16, keeping the message and its cover frombeing damaged or dislodged.

As shown in FIG. 4, the message display platform 16 may further includea recessed lip 20, into which may be inserted a permanent message disk22. The permanent message disk 22 may preferably be an aluminum diskwhich is set into the recessed lip 20 after molding while the hot vinylis soft, and thereby be tightly affixed after cooling. The permanentmessage disk 22 may display information of a continuing nature, such asan identification of the retailer, the pump operating instructions orother information which does not relate to periodic promotions ortemporary conditions.

A changeable message placard 24, preferably of paperboard, styrene, orvinyl, having the same shape as the platform 16, rests upon the platform16. The message placard 24 will typically advertise periodic promotionalmessages, such as free or discounted merchandise with a certain volumefuel purchase, other services provided by the retailer, or othertemporary information, such as an "OUT-OF-ORDER" message when the pumpis empty or inoperative.

Overlying the message placard 24 and making a sealing attachment to theplatform 16 is a removable message cover 26. The cover 26 has anoptically clear top surface 28 so that the message can be seen, and aretainer skirt 30 to fit closely along the sides of the platform 16. Theskirt may also the of the same optically clear material as the topsurface 28, although it is not necessary that it be so. The cover 26 maybe vacuum formed or injection molded of an appropriate material, such asclear polyvinylchloride. When the message platform is constructed of avinyl with plasticizer additive, the plasticizer additive provides atacky surface which adheres to the polyvinylchloride cover, helping tohold the cover on the platform and reduce moisture from leaking underthe cover. The closely fitting skirt 30 retains the cover 26 over theplatform 16, but it can be pried off to allow the message placard 24 tobe changed.

Alternatively, the message placard 24 may be attached to either theinner side or outer side of the cover's top surface 28 by adhesivesubstance. In such embodiment, a new cover 26 and message placard 24combination must be used for each message change.

A bumper 32 is provided at the front of the boot portion 12 and extendsbeyond the message display platform 16, to contact the vehicle when thenozzle is inserted into the filler pipe. The bumper 32 is preferably anintegrally molded hollow protrusion of the boot portion 12 generallyrectangular in shape, to provide a resilient bumper that will protectthe message display but not mar the vehicle.

A presently preferred embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5. The boot 10 hasan integral raised resilient bumper 34, which surrounds the messagedisplay platform near or above the platform height, to reduce thepossibility of the message cover being dislodged or damaged by impactfrom any side. The bumper 34 replaces the front bumper 32 of thepreviously described embodiments and the protective rim 18 of theembodiment shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the display platform isan aluminum disc 36 mounted on a pedestal 38 of the boot, as depicted inFIG. 6. The pedestal 38 is molded into the boot 12 to raise the disc 36from the cover sufficiently to accommodate the cover 26. The disc 36 isheat attached to the pedestal 38. The disc 36 has a diameter slightlysmaller than the inside diameter of the bumper 34 to allow a skirtedcover as described in the previous embodiments to fit over the sides ofthe disc 36.

As can easily be visualized, the display boot 10 can be easily installedon a fuel pump nozzle by pulling it on over the insertion end of thenozzle, and once installed appears to be part of the nozzle itself, muchas a second leak guard. In fact, it will perform as an additional leakguard over the area it covers.

By its close conforming fit, the display boot 10 keeps the advertisingmessage in its proper location on the top of the nozzle, without being acumbersome or visually unattractive device such as the prior artharnesses. When the nozzle is inserted into the vehicle's tank fillerpipe, the resilient bumper 26 limits the insertion and protects themessage display and the cover 26 from being impacted. By simply snappingof the cover 26 and replacing the message placard 24, the advertisingmessage can be easily changed by the service station operator.

I claim:
 1. A message display device for a fuel dispensing nozzle,comprising:(a) a flexible boot adapted for close conforming fit over atleast a front portion of the nozzle; (b) a substantially flat messagedisplay platform mounted on a top surface of the boot with respect tothe nozzle; (c) a message placard resting upon the platform, and; (d) anoptically clear cover having a skirted edge depending in closeconforming fit along the contour of the platform, such that the coverwill hold the placard on the platform but may be pried away from theplatform to allow the placard to be changed.
 2. A message device as inclaim 1, further comprising the boot having a bellows portion adapted toaccommodate a close conforming fit over nozzles of various lengths.
 3. Amessage display device as in claim 2, further comprising a resilientbumper, adapted to shield the platform.
 4. A message display device asin claim 3, wherein the boot is made of molded plastic material and themessage platform, bellows portion, message platform and bumper areintegrally molded with the boot.
 5. A message display device as in claim1, further comprising a resilient bumper, adapted to shield theplatform.
 6. A message display device as in claim 5, wherein the boot ismade of molded plastic material and the message platform and bumper areintegrally molded with the boot.
 7. A message display device as in claim6, wherein the plastic material is a plastisol vinyl.
 8. A messagedisplay device as in claim 5, wherein the resilient bumper substantiallysurrounds the circumference of the message platform.
 9. A messagedisplay device as in claim 1, wherein the placard is affixed to thecover.
 10. A message display device as in claim 1, wherein the messagedisplay platform has a protective rim extending circumferentially beyondthe skirted edge of the cover.
 11. A message display device as in claim1, wherein the message display platform has a permanent message displaydisk on its top surface.
 12. A fuel dispenser nozzle display sleeve fora fuel nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes a spout and handle,comprising:(a) a sleeve, adapted to slidably engage the nozzle, havingrespective ends, one end to receive the spout, the other to receive thehandle; (b) a substantially flat display platform integral with thesleeve; and (c) a substantially clear cover having a periphery, whereinthe periphery includes edge section extending substantially around theperiphery to provide a close, conforming and interfering fit with theplatform.